These websites allow users to create animated videos and talking characters


Go Animate

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Website:
http://goanimate.com/
Distribution:
In browser, flash plug-in required
Anonymous User:
View videos
Logged-in User:
Create and comment on videos
Email Use:
Required for regular log-in account creation
Paid Option:
Additional characters and scenes; School
package pre-makes student accounts (no email address
required)
Comparison:
Very flexible animations, 2 dimensional characters, limited
options for free users
Description:
By selecting backgrounds, animations, characters and writing
text (which is translated with text-to-speech), users can create
an animated video to share with others
Uses:
Users can recreate an important moment in history, simulate
a conversation between two important people, or use the video
as a speaking aid if the user is especially shy.

Xtranormal



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Website:
http://www.xtranormal.com/
Distribution:
In browser, or download (Windows XP or higher)
Anonymous User:
View videos
Logged-in User:
Create videos, comment on videos
Email Use:
Email required for regular log-ins
Paid Option:
Additional characters and backgrounds; School package pre-
makes student accounts (no email address required)
Comparison:
Very easy to make a movie, 3D animation, limited options for
animation and characters - especially for free accounts
Description:
By selecting backgrounds, animations, characters and writing
text (which is translated with text-to-speech), users can create
an animated video to share with others
Uses:
Users can recreate an important moment in history, simulate
a conversation between two important people, or use the video
as a speaking aid if the user is especially shy.

Blabberize



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Website:
http://blabberize.com/
Distribution:
In browser, flash plug-in required
Anonymous User:
View and create a Blabberized photo
Logged-in User:
Save and comment on Blabberized photos
Email Use:
Required for log-in accounts
Paid Option:
N/A (Everything is free in beta, eventually video conversion and
extra bandwidth will cost money)
Comparison:
Very straightforward, syncs to an actual voice, multiple pictures
must be made into multiple videos
Description:
User is able to choose a photo, highlight the "mouth" of the
photo, and record a voice track. The website automatically
creates an animation of the photo "speaking" the recorded
dialogue.
Uses:
Users can recreate an important moment in history, simulate
a conversation between two important people, or use the video
as a speaking aid if the user is especially shy.

Aniboom Shapeshifter



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Website:
http://www.aniboom.com/ShapeshifterAnimachine.aspx
Distribution:
In browser, flash plug-in required
Anonymous User:
View and create animations
Logged-in User:
Save animation
Email Use:
Required for Log-in accounts
Paid Option:
N/A
Comparison:
Very robust 2D animation suite, limited audio sync, no
pre-made characters or animation
Description:
Through creating key-frames and slightly adjusting shapes' size
color and position frame by frame, users can create animated
movies.
Uses:
User could recreate a historic event, create an animated
vehicle, build titles which have animation associated with them.

Alice



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Website:
http://alice.org/
Distribution:
Download (Windows XP or Mac 10.3 or higher)
Anonymous User:
Download software; create, save and share videos
Logged-in User:
N/A
Email Use:
N/A
Paid Option:
N/A
Comparison:
Very robust 3D animation suite, limited audio sync, large
number of pre-made characters and animations with option to
insert more, more difficult to use than other options.
Description:
Using basic programming, users can change the position, size
and motion of objects as well as the camera position.
Storytelling Alice
(http://alice.org/kelleher/storytelling/index.html) may be better
suited for simply showing talking animated characters.
Uses:
User could recreate a historic event, create an animated
vehicle, build titles which have animation associated with them.